Seek and find

But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear. –Deuteronomy 29:4 (NIV)

I was reading in John 6 about Jesus’ identity statement, “I am the bread of life,” and I was struck by how spiritually obtuse His listeners were. Though they had been waiting for Messiah for generations, they were untrained in how to seek or recognize Him. That got me thinking about where spiritual insight comes from – how is it acquired? Jesus actually told them toward the end of the chapter, but I wanted to dig a little more….

He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” –John 6:65 (NIV)

I was reminded of this word of encouragement Jeremiah gave to the exiles, and it still seems applicable:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. –Jeremiah 29:13-14a (NIV)

James picks up a similar theme of intentionality when it comes to an understanding of godly things:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. –James 1:5 (NIV)

And it seems there is a “process of becoming” that enables us to grow in our awareness and recognition of God’s leading:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. –Romans 12:2 (NIV)

But even those trained in listening for God’s instruction can have a lapse, as Joshua did when he fell for the Gibeonite deception:

The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. –Joshua 9:14-15 (NIV)

God will not be known completely by human minds. As we have noted before in this space, that’s a good thing. Nonetheless, He does not hide. He reveals enough to make Himself known without overwhelming us, as Moses told the Israelites:

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. –Deuteronomy 29:29 (NIV)

Paul had a similar message for the people of Athens, as he described God’s interactions with mankind:

God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ –Acts 17:27-28a (NIV)

The knowledge of God is a gift from the Father, given through the Spirit, to those who seek Him and are willing to submit themselves to the Son. Let’s keep seeking, let’s keep finding, and let’s lead our families, our churches, and our communities in the ways of God, as did these mighty men of David. Heads up, eyes open!

…from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command… –1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV)